Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has been crowned the first ever winner of the Yachine Trophy at 2019 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris. The 27-year-old beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ederson to be crowned the best keeper in the world.
Alisson played a crucial role in Liverpool's Champions League success and started six times for Brazil in their triumphant Copa America campaign. He also won the Golden Glove in the Premier League last season with 21 clean sheets as the Reds fell just short of Manchester City in the title race.
Barcelona keeper Ter Stegen finished second in the voting, while Alisson's compatriot Ederson was third.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hugo Lloris, Jan Oblak, Samir Handanovic, Manuel Neuer, Andre Onana and Wojciech Szczesny were also in the running for the inaugural award.
Alisson was quick to thank his team-mates for their help. "I'm so honoured to win this prize," he told reporters. "I believe that, beyond receiving this trophy, there's the fact of being the first one in the history.
"I guess I wrote my name in football history. Not only me but with the help of God, my family, my team-mates - this is always very important to say. I'm so honoured to be here tonight along with great players."
- Juve defender De Ligt wins Kopa Trophy -
Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt has been named as the winner of the 2019 Kopa Trophy at this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Awarded to the best player in the world under the age of 21, De Ligt inherits the award from France and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
De Ligt has enjoyed a sensational 2019, guiding Ajax to the Eredivise title and the semifinal of the Champions League, where it ultimately suffered a last-gasp defeat to Tottenham.
His stunning form for the Dutch side led to a reported €75 million move to Juventus in July, with the Serie A champion seeing off competition from a number of European rivals for his signature.
The 20-year-old has made 15 appearances across all competitions for Maurizio Sarri's side this season, scoring one goal.
De Ligt described the award as an "honour" and hoped it would not be his last taste of silverware for the season.
Juve has long harboured ambitions to win the Champions League and is locked in a Serie A title race with Antonio Conte's Inter Milan.
"Inter will be a difficult challenge because they are a great team with great players," De Ligt told reporters in Paris. "But the season is long and for us it is all about winning.
"In the league or in the cup? I don't make distinctions, it's all important. We want to win everything. At Juve there are world-class defenders who will help me grow and become even stronger."
Comments
SHARE